caughtinanetwork | 25 ★ v i d e o;

[ Gracia shows up on the feed with rather curious expression. She sits by one of the cafes in the plaza, the SFC atop the table. She takes a sip of a warm vanilla milk, and with a slender finger on her lower lip, she begins to speak. A small dog can be slightly glimpsed running around behind her. It barks twice before Gracia's able to get her question out in the open. ]

Tell me something, Vatheon! What does it mean to be an "adult?" [ She leans on her elbows, and pouts. ] Is it really all about how old you are? Or is it more about how you act? That's what Father said to me once...[ Once? More like every time xD ] If that's the case, then how should an adult act?

[ Gracia sighs. This looks like something she's been pondering over for a while now. But speaking as a child at heart herself—regardless of her twenty years of age—Gracia only confused herself trying to look for an answer on her own. ] It's confusing! No matter what I do, it seems that my actions aren't those of an adult! Are adults not allowed to protect their loved ones the way they see fit?

[ Her dog, Futon, barks again. Gracia smiles and reaches down to pet him under the chin. ]

I wonder if to be an adult, I really only need to smile to become part of his strength...? I wonder if that will be enough...?

[ Her last words are no longer aimed at Vatheon's general public; they were questions aimed at herself, concerning a particular person. Her Father was always right, even if tried his best to tell Gracia otherwise. She believes in him fully, and so she wants to protect him no matter what. That was her reason for fighting—to make his dream of peace a reality. But how will she protect him now, when he gave her explicit orders not to? And that, whenever she disobeys him out of love, she is childish? Selfish, even?

Gracia is desperate for answers! (The last thing the SFC shows before she switches it off is her gulping down the rest of her milk with a satisfied and giddy smile. She sighs contentedly.) ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Grin.]

I just wanted to see how you'd react, to be honest.

Which was not particularly maturely, Gracia, sorry.

[He has seen her on the network lots in their time together in Vatheon, even if they haven't really formally met.]

You know my name?

[ A brief look of surprise passes her expression before it turns into a pretty frown. She puts her hands on her hips before speaking again. ]

Well, whoever you are, accusing someone who doesn't even know you as childish is not a mature thing to do either!

I do. The name's Matthew, by the way.

You've been here for a year and eight months; I've been here for that and then some, and I like to keep track of these things.

[He's a spy, it's what he does.]

But if you want to be thought of as mature, you're going to have to try harder than that.

[ Wait, she's just a bit impressed that you knew how long she's been in the city so accurately. Her expression shifts from irritated to curious in mere seconds. ]

Wow...you know how long I've been in Vatheon? How? Have you been following me around all the time?

[ Wait wait wait. Something way more important than maturity has to be brought up. ]

Can you tell me how long Father's been here? How about Motochika? And Ken? And how about my chocobo? Can you tell me how long he's been around since he was born?

[ MATTHEW WHAT HAVE YOU DONE ]

[...this kid.

He looks amused, shaking his head.]

I could tell you all of those things--

But I won't.

[:D]

[ Not!kid, she's probably older than you mister ninja :T

Also, Gracia whines a bit and leans closer to the SFC. ]

Why not?

[um hardly, child. :V

And he is just amused at that.]

Because I have no reason to give that information to a child.

[ SHE IS SO AGGRAVATED WITH YOU RIGHT NOW ]

I am not a child! Stop that!

[ Gracia puts her hands on her hips again. ] You don't even know me besides my name and how long I've been here!

You know, you're not convincing me.

[A grin, cheeky.]

But I'll give you that one. So...convince me! Tell me about you.

[ That definitely made the conversation a little lighter. Gracia hums in thought, head tilted slightly upwards. ]

You probably already know about Father...Ohh, but then, there's so much to say! What do you want to know? You should start with a good question!

[ She smiles brightly. ]

[He keeps thinking 'cute but childish'. You're really not helping your image, Gracia.]

You've been here awhile. What do you think about Vatheon?

[ Hey man, half of that is no longer her conscious fault. Lmao. ]

What do I think of Vatheon...

[ Gracia answers quickly, and confidently. ]

It's a wonderful place! I've never been underneath the ocean before, and to live in a world that has no war...A gentle place where people can live peacefully...[ She claps her hands together and sighs dreamily. She remembers that not all was well in the paradise that was the underwater city however; she rubs the side of her hair and chuckles. ] Oh, well. Most of the time, anyway. But still, even with all the curses, I'm glad to be here. I've made so many new friends, seen so many amazing things...and I'm living together with Father and Motochika again. [ Gracia's expression turns fond. ]

That's all I could ever want.

[So maybe she is just a child then--

But he nods, listening curiously.]

So Vatheon gave you something you couldn't have at home. Yeah, I guess that makes sense.

[ Sssh, just don't say it out loud, sssh, what is twenty years old with a brain of a kindergartener--

She nods, happy that he understands what she means. ]

It does, doesn't it? [ Wow she sounds proud. ] I have a new role in this world, and that's to make sure it'll stay the way it is! Peaceful and safe and happy for all!

[Right, right, whatever you say, Gracia.

But wow this kid. She's optimistic, he's not sure how to handle it.]

That's quite the goal. Do you really plan to accomplish it all by yourself?

[ NOT A KID, DON'T MAKE HER TELL ON YOU--

She shakes her head. ]

I have my friends! And my Father, and Motochika! We all look out for each other. We'll risk our lives for one another! [ It's her mantra in life. ]

[RUNNING TO DADDY, HUH

...Wow. That's. He blinks.]

...That's quite the mantra, Gracia. It sounds a little dangerous.

[ PSHAW DON'T SAY IT LIKE IT'S A BAD THING OKAY

She doesn't really get what he means by that. And it's not so much her immaturity, but the way her mind works to comprehend it. It's a simple, honest-to-goodness belief that pretty much defines her entire being. So Gracia answers him with a smile. ]

Why is it dangerous? [ She tilts her head to the side. ] That's what friends do for one another, right? Would you not risk your life for your friend?

25 ★ v i d e o;

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